Zika Virus: Symptoms and Impact

'Zika Virus: Symptoms and Impact'

Introduction to the Zika Virus

The Zika virus is spread primarily through mosquitoes, more specifically Aedes mosquitoes. The name "Zika" originated from the Zika forest in Uganda. The virus was first discovered in 1947 in monkeys and apes, but the first human cases of Zika appeared in 1952 in regions from Africa to Asia.

Classification and Related Viruses

The classification of this virus belongs to the family called Flaviviruses. Flaviviruses are a group of RNA viruses that cause human diseases. Other common viruses of the flavivirus family include yellow fever and the West Nile virus. Yellow fever is a virus that affects the kidneys and liver, causing jaundice and fever that is often fatal. The West Nile Virus causes encephalitis and flu-like symptoms. Flaviviruses also belong to a larger group known as arboviruses, meaning they are transmitted to humans by bites from infected arthropods, with mosquitoes and ticks being the most common vectors. The hosts of the Zika virus include mosquitoes, monkeys, and apes that lived in the Zika forest in Uganda, as well as humans.

Transmission Methods

The most common way the virus is transmitted is through mosquito bites, as mosquitoes spread the virus by feeding on monkeys, apes, and humans. The virus can also be spread through sexual contact, but bites from mosquitoes remain the primary transmission method. Additionally, a pregnant woman can pass the virus to her baby during pregnancy, which can cause microcephaly—abnormal smallness of the brain and incomplete brain development—as well as other severe birth defects. Zika can also be transmitted through blood contact with an infected person, such as through blood transfusions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Zika virus symptoms include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes), and muscle pain. These symptoms can last from several days to a week. It is rare for infected individuals to require hospitalization or die from the virus, except in very severe cases (CDC, 2019).

Complications and Treatments

Another complication associated with Zika infection is Guillain-Barré syndrome, a very rare condition in which the body's immune system attacks the nervous system. Symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome include muscle weakness and tingling in the legs and arms. In severe cases, a person can become completely paralyzed, and if respiratory muscles are affected, hospitalization may be necessary. Currently, there is no cure for the Zika virus, but research is ongoing. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) announced that they have entered the second phase of developing a DNA vaccine to protect against Zika. By 2019, they predicted a successful vaccine would be available to treat the virus (NIAID, 2018). In the meantime, treatment options include plenty of rest, constant hydration, and taking medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or Tylenol.

Impact of the Zika Virus

The Zika virus had a significant impact in the United States, notably during the outbreak in 2016, when it spread to thirty-two countries, including Brazil. This posed a major problem in Brazil, as the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics took place there, and both international travelers and competitors were concerned about being affected by the virus (World Health Organization, 2017).

Global Response

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued travel guidance for all affected countries, including extra precautions and guidelines for pregnant women. Other governments and health agencies also issued similar travel warnings in 2016. In 2017, the WHO declared that the Zika virus was no longer a global emergency but remained an ongoing threat, similar to yellow fever and malaria (WHO, 2017).

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Zika virus: Symptoms, testing, & treatment. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/index.html

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2018). Zika vaccine development. Retrieved from https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/zika-vaccine

World Health Organization. (2017). WHO statement on the first meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR 2005) Emergency Committee on Zika virus and observed increase in neurological disorders and neonatal malformations. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/01-02-2016-who-statement-on-the-first-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-(ihr-2005)-emergency-committee-on-zika-virus-and-observed-increase-in-neurological-disorders-and-neonatal-malformations